2012-10-29 - Rider Down/Fatality, Bethnal Green Road (London)

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/actor-who-performed-at-olympics-festival-is-12th-cyclist-killed-on-london-roads-this-year-8300514.html

09 November 2012

An actor and dancer who performed at the Olympics cultural festival has become the 12th cyclist to be killed in London this year.

Sofoklis Kostoulas, 31, from Bow, died in hospital eight days after being crushed beneath a lorry’s wheels.

The Greek national had appeared in the English National Ballet production of Like A Fish Out Of Water which was staged at the Uxbridge lido and at Hampton pool as part of the 2012 Cultural Olympiad.

Mr Kostoulas came to London 18 months ago to pursue his dream of appearing on the British stage.

An English National Ballet spokeswoman said: “He was an absolute joy to work with and be around.”

Mr Kostoulas and the tipper truck collided in Bethnal Green Road as he cycled to work around 6.40am on October 29. He died in the Royal London Hospital on Tuesday.

His sisters and cousin said in a statement: “The grief we’re feeling cannot be described, written or transferred. We still can’t believe what happened. We still can’t think of our lives without Sofoklis in it.

“During these days we, his family and friends, were all optimistic that he would wake up so we could tell him what happened and show him the many messages of love and support written by his friends and relatives. I hope he left knowing by how many people and how much he was loved. I hope he left this life in serenity and peace.”